The phototriacs consist of a GaAs infrared LED that is optically coupled to a monolithic photosensitive zero crossing triac detector chip. A low-input trigger current facilitates an easy interface with microcontrollers and digital logic. The VO3063 requires a maximum trigger current of 5 mA to latch output, while the VO3062 requires a maximum trigger current of 10 mA. The devices are available in 6-pin DIP, 400-mil DIP, and SMD packages.

Rated with a 600-V blocking voltage, the phototriacs can provide isolation between dc and ac voltages on 120-V, 240-V, and 380-V ac lines, giving designers a 2X or better safety factor for control of off-line voltages up to 240 V.

The VO3062 and VO3063 are designed for control of resistive, inductive, or capacitive loads including motors, solenoids, high-current thyristors, and relays. Optimized for noisy environments, typical applications for the new devices will include refrigerators, air conditioners (HVAC), dishwashers, vending machines, industrial controls, ac motor drives, switches, switching power supplies, and solenoid/valve controls.

The VO3062 and VO3063, in which the new “VO" part number prefix indicates “Vishay optocoupler," are direct replacements for industry-standard 1.0-kV/µs dV/dt phototriacs.

Samples and production quantities of the new phototriacs are available now, with lead times of six to eight weeks for larger orders.